they failed to make any headway on china's new hair defense zone. that's been fueling a lot of tension in the region. do you think this is a powder keg in the region? >> i'm very concerned about it. the maritime security issues are critically important, not just to the countries of that region, but to all country, including the united states. these are maritime lanes that we depend on greatly for international commerce. there's been disputes over a long period of time as to the -- as to which country has sovereignty over these islands. what china did by making this unilateral declaration was certainly harmful to the stability of that region. >> okay. let's go back to the home front, sir. last week the president threw his support behind the senate's minimum wage bill. where do you put its chances of getting through the house? >> well, it's going to be a challenge to get anything through the house in this environment. they've been difficult to get through. i think it's important we recognize that working families should have a decent wage and raising